Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has distributed free fertiliser to no fewer than 100,000 smallholder farmers and also unveiled a crop risk insurance scheme aimed at shielding farmers from climate-related losses.
The initiatives were flagged off on Saturday at Murtala Square, Kaduna, in a move the governor described as part of his administration’s “farmer-first policy” to boost food security and rural prosperity.
Sani disclosed that the state was distributing 400 trucks of fertiliser, with each farmer receiving two bags free of charge, maintaining that Kaduna is “the only state where smallholder farmers consistently receive fertiliser and other critical inputs at no cost.”
“This fertiliser distribution to farmers is not a stand-alone event—it is part of a strategic, coordinated, and systems-based approach to agricultural transformation,” the governor said.
He added, “We are proud to maintain this farmer-first policy, particularly for our most vulnerable and underserved communities.”
Sani also announced the enrollment of the farmers into a Crop Risk Insurance Scheme to safeguard them against losses caused by pests, diseases, and extreme weather conditions associated with climate change.
“This scheme underscores our enduring commitment to inclusive development, food security, and rural prosperity through agricultural transformation,” he declared.
Beyond smallholder farmers, the governor also launched a subsidised fertiliser programme for commercial farmers.
Under the scheme, eligible farmers will access 10 bags of fertiliser at a 40% subsidised rate of N30,000 per bag.
“This is to lower their production cost, support job creation, and stabilise commodity prices in the open market,” he said.
The governor attributed the successes recorded so far in agriculture to improved security across the state, noting that “a large portion of previously inaccessible farmlands are now accessible.”
He said his administration had made significant strides since assuming office, citing the 2023 record of distributing over 500 trucks of fertiliser, alongside other interventions like support for dry season farming, the ginger recovery programme, and the deployment of 200 tractors for mechanised farming.
Sani also revealed that his administration had raised the agriculture sector’s budget from ₦1.48 billion in 2023 to ₦74.02 billion in 2025 — a staggering 4,871% increase.
“As a share of the overall state budget, agriculture has grown from just 0.4% in 2023 to 10% in 2025,” he said.
According to him, the new figures reflect his pledge to “elevate agriculture from a subsistence activity to a driver of growth, jobs, and dignity.”
While urging farmers to use the fertiliser inputs responsibly, Governor Sani commended stakeholders for their role in ensuring transparency in the distribution process.
“Together, we will continue building a Kaduna State where agriculture is not just a way of life, but a pathway to prosperity,” he said.
